Hello & question about machine arm length

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Hi! I'm Martha (aka NanaBB) and am in the Dayton Ohio area. I love to quilt and have been quilting since I was a teen in the 1970's (okay, do the math ;-) My earliest quilts were all hand pieced and hand quilted, but I now quilt exclusively by machine. My current machine is a Viking but I am about to purchase a Bernina (I'm super excited!). My question is: should I get the 750 QE or the 820? The main difference is that the 750 has a 10" arm (3" longer than my current machine) and the 820 has a 12" arm. Big difference in price though, but as I will use this machine for many, many, many years, will I regret not getting the 12" arm later? Has anyone out there quilted a king size quilt with a 10" arm? Advice anyone?

Martha. my advice would be to get the 12" arm, I know it cost more but if you are doing all your own quilting ,it is well worth it. I don't know much about Berenia machine as I have a Janome. but alot of member here do and they hopefully can answer your other questions . Now I'd like to welcome you to the club, you will love it here . Barbara

Liberty,Missouri

I bought the Fusion instead of the Avante when I was shopping for a longarm. It has a 24 inch arm as opposed to the 18 inch. I have never been sorry. I may not use all the space but its there for when I do need it. Always buy the best you can afford even for a queen quilt the extra space is wonderful

I don't do much quilting on my Bernina but I'm hoping to someday. If you need a recommendation, Bernina's are a workhorse. I have 2 Berninas and wouldn't give either one up for anything. If the price is not an object, I'd go for the 12" throat if you plan on quilting all your quilts with it. Good Luck and Enjoy.

Hi Martha. I know you must be super excited about a new machine. I do not have a Bernina, but I do have a Janome with the wider arm and it makes all of the difference in the world for me. Quilting is much easier as the bulk of the quilt has more room. I have quilted a king size quilt with my 11 inch arm and survived it. I tend to make mostly queen quilts and also manage to get through that. With my old machine that had a standard space, it was difficult. Enjoy the new machine.

Liberty,Missouri

I have quilted a king size quilt with a 8 in arm. It wasn't easy. If you have the ability to purchase the 820 with the 12 in arm that is the one I would recommend. Even a couple inches makes a huge difference.

Hi Martha, I think I welcomed you a bit ago in another thread, but I'll say Hi again. As for your question, if you can afford the larger machine that is the one I would get - I don't think you can ever have too much room.

Life is like a quilt...bits & pieces, joy & sorrow, stitched with love

Hi Martha, welcome to QCA! I am a Bernina girl and use the 830LE with a 12" throat for quilting and machine embroidery(I also have a 200E). As others have said, if your making large quilts, every inch of throat space counts...LOTS! So, go for every inch you can afford and get the best machine you can afford. (And, in my humble opinion, that is the Bernina.)

Also, I wanted to ask if you are aware that right now Bernina has a 5 year 0% interest promotion going on? This is the first time in 12 years I have seen them extend the 0% for more than 4 years, so if that will help you with getting that 820, go for it!!!

Good Luck and as Barbara said, please post pictures of your new baby...